Freeport and the natural beauty

With respect to PT Freeport's propaganda Is the natural beauty, rich biodiversity under threat? in The Jakarta Post, June 5, 1996, I would like to make a few comments.

The fact that no chemicals are used in Freeport's mineral processing operation is a positive surprise. Especially since in standard grinding and flotation techniques chemicals are still used as collector, frother and modifier reagents. According to my estimation in this "standard" mineral processing operation with a production rate of about 125,000 tons copper/gold ore per day, more or less 10 tons of various chemicals and 125 tons of lime per day are consumed.

If the Dames and Moore report states "The present tailings management system is considered appropriate, given the circumstances that apply", it sounds to me that Freeport's tailings management system is neither the best nor the most environment-friendly tailings management system. A tailings containment area with a size of 130 square kilometer in the midst of the natural beauty and rich biodiversity of the West Irian lowland is a very high price to be paid by the public and should only be done after careful deliberation. At the moment the headline PT Freeport committed to preserving the environment still seems to be bitter irony.

JURGEN VASTERS

Jakarta